5-Year-Old Boy Found Beaten & Starving in Stairway Closet (VIDEO)

Sometimes you read a story so heartbreaking and unbelievable that it makes you want to squeeze your children tight and never let them go. A 5-year-old boy was found locked inside the stairway closet of his Texas home in an extremely malnourished state. Police say the poor angel's bones were sticking out and that he had bumps, bruises, and skin "coming off his back" -- which made them suspect his father and stepmother had not only starved him, but had beaten him, as well. If not for the child's 16-year-old stepbrother, who discovered him in the closet, who knows how long this horrific nightmare would have played out.

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After opening the closet door and finding his little brother wearing just a diaper -- at age 5, mind you -- the teen reportedly confronted his 24-year-old stepfather, Bradley Bleimeyer, about the situation. The two wound up having a physical fight. It's uncertain who called the cops, but they were contacted after receiving a report of a fight at the home. When police arrived, Bradley -- who is the little boy's biological father -- had fled the scene with his 33-year-old wife, Tammi Bleimeyer, and the young victim.

Thanks to cellphone data, cops were able to locate the couple and the young child at a motel 13 miles away from their house. Authorities were shocked when they saw the child's frail condition, and he was sent to the hospital. He's in stable condition, but it will take several weeks for him to recuperate.

So what's happening with mom and dad, you ask? Both have been charged with felony child endangerment. Thankfully, dad is in jail with no bond, but stepmom has been released on a $2,000 bond.

Oh, did I mention Tammi is pregnant and has five children of her own, including the 16-year-old, who range in age from 1 to 16? Police are reportedly searching for them to make sure they're all okay. Which just makes this even more bananas.

There are no words to describe this story. Why would anyone have children and then choose to treat them like animals -- worse than animals? Assuming this couple is found guilty of abusing and starving their child, I only hope there are loving people out there who will take him -- and his brothers and sisters -- in and give them the love and care they deserve.

Here's a video clip with more information, including disturbing photos of the little boy's malnourished and abused body:

What do you think would drive parents to do something so horrific to their child?